Senate Backs DHS Contracting Restrictions

The Senate-passed version of an appropriations bill covering the Department of Homeland Security (HR-2360) follows the House’s lead in barring contracting-out of work performed by immigration information officers at the department’s Citizenship and Immigration Services branch. The provision is one of numerous restrictions the House imposed on various departments and agencies while passing spending bills for the upcoming year, all of which the White House oppose. For example, the administration issued a statement asking the Senate to drop the provision, saying that agencies are using contracting-out studies in “a reasoned and responsible manner to reduce costs and improve program performance.” However, the White House has raised the threat of a veto only over language in the House version of the Transportation-Treasury bill that would restrict contracting-out government wide.